Tongs



V5 It is a general object of the invention to Patented June 23, 1931 imirren STA'iEs LAWRENCE F. iinasii, on Los HILLS, CALIFORNIA Tones Animation inea Maren is, i920. seriaino. 436,694..

This invention 4relates to a tool for han.-V

dling pipe, tubing,1casing and like objects and relates more particularlylto tongs for handling and grippingpipe or casing.

provide simple, sturdy, and practical tongs for e-li'ectively andl securel gripping casing or the like. l f

The present invention relates to improved tongs ofthe general character fully described I and claimed' in our co-pending application entitled Tongs, Serial Number L36,693, filed Marehis, i930.

An object of thisinvention is to provide I5 tongs forcasing, or the like, which embody a gripping-element or jaw carried by the casing encircling portion ofthe tool and operable bythe operatingline through an impro-ved'eiiective lever systeni.

Itis another object ofthe invention to provide tongs which are well balanced and `Which are particularly easy lto handle and operate. The mechanism Vfor operating the grippingeleinent of the tongs is carried 'so that itv operates to counterbalance the'head or pipe encircling portion of thel tool.

A further object of the invention is to Vprovide tongs formed of few simple parts ithat may be made sufliciently heavy towithinstand hard" usage and excessive strains withoutnial'ing the tool bulky,V or unwieldy.

Another object'ofthe'invention isto provide tongs having a jaw operating" Ytoggle mechanisnicarried by the handle, one lever y of the mechanism, being extended and bevi-ng l adapted to be engaged by an operating line.

Another object 'of theY invention Vis to provide tongs of the character mentioned in which the extension of the toggle leverprojects beyond the outer end of the handle.

`Other objects and features of 'ourpresent invention will be best Vand more fullyA understood from the following detailed descriptionof preferred formsand applicationsof 5 the inventiomthroughout which description reference is had to the accompanying draw ings, in which z' Y f v r v Fig. l" is a. side elevation of. one orin of theV Y tongsprovided byv this invention illustrating. -5 the trail in grppiiigengagementwith? a pipes Fig. 2 is a top or plan'viei'vfof Ythe form of ANGELES, :AND wiLLiAMii. MAXWELL, or BEVERLY the invention illustrated' inv Fig. 1.- Fig'. 3V,

is a longitudinal detailedy sectional View of y e the tongs. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional viewof the headl and'j pipe gripping dle pipe' or casing andintend'ed primarily.' to

be actuated by means of operating lines. The forms of the invention', about to be described are particularly' suited'foruse in a well der"- rick for handling wellfc'asing, 'drill pipe,fetc. TheV invention isv notto be construed" as limited to the particular lforms of' the invention aboutto bedeiscribed nor by tlie'applic'ation referred to above, but isto be taken asincluding kany features Vor modifications that ma fall within tl'ie'scope of the cla-iins. y The tong construction provided this invention includes, generally', a' head 10', a pipe gripping element 1'1 carried by thehead",

a handle 1K2, means llcarriedv by the Vhandle for operating ltli'efelein'ent ll intogripping engagement"withyan object in 'the 'heajd 1.10,'

and means lifor automatically returning-` `the-gripping element 11 to a retractedv position afteractuation. y l

The' head 1'0 of the tongs is'pi-eferablyv suchA as Vtoengage aroundgthe pipe and may be designed and'fproportioned to accommodate or handle pipes orobjects of various sizes. In the drawings; we have illustrated the head 10 engaging or encircling a pipe P. VThe particular head 10 `shown y in` the drawings is formedl olf-twol mainl parts, naniely, an inner orbody part 15,and an outer part or gate 16; i y Y The inner or body'part 'I5 of the head carries'the gripping elementll. The body part l'of'the head is yoked'; or U-shaped in itsgen-v eral configuration sov that it' has two spaced side parte .18 and' ..19 between WhGlUhQI-e are the innersides ofthe parts 18. and 19,V

' are preferably made fiat and parallel. The

inner corners of the opening 17 may be made inwardly convergent as clearly illustrated in the drawings. The body part 15 ofthe head may be a simple unitary member made suf- Y ticientlv large and heavy to` withstand the usage for whichiitis intended.- f 'v The outer part or gate 16 of the head 10 is inthe nature of a closure for the Open endV of opening 17 ofthe body part 15. The gateV 16 may be any suitable form of closure member and may be secured` or attached to the part in any suitable manner. 'In the particular case-illustrated the gate 16 isa rigid unitary member pivotally connected with one of the sideparts of the bodv15. The gate 16 may bepivotally connected to the side part 18 by a pivot pin or bolt 21. Any` suitable form of releasable latch orV holding means may be provided for releasably holding the` gate inthe closed position. In-the case illustratedfin' the drawings the side part 19 is provided with spaced or yoked parts22t and the outer or free end of the gate 16 is provided with a tongue 23 adapted to iit between the yoked parts 22. A removable latch or locking pin 24 extend through -openings25 in the yoked parts 22 and an opening 26 in the outer end of thegate 16 the openings 25 26 being in register when the gate is swung to the closed position; Y The pin 24 may be attached tothe body part 15 by a .chain 27. It will -be obvious that any suitable form or typeof -releasable catch or latch means may be providedV for holdingV this gate closed. Y

The inner side of the gate 16 is preferabl.y shaped to fit or seat against the pipe P and may be curved or rounded to conform lto the configuration of the pipe. The gate 16 may be provided with gripping parts in the form of dies28 seated in 'recesses in the inner side of the 16. i A suitable handle 29 maybe provided adj ace'ntthe outer-endet' the gate The gripping element `11 Vis in the'form Vof a jaw for securely gripping the pipe P. Y In the Construction illustrated the'jaw is slidably carried inthe opening Theggripping element `11 is carried inthe opening 17 toY move radially. relative to the pipe P and is operable the means 13 into `gripping engagement withthe Vexterior of the pipe. VThe element 11 may .be a unitary rigid membershapedfto .effectively operate in the opening 17. The sides 30 of the gripping elementell arepreferably made flat andrparallel to slidably operateon thewalls 20 of the opening. 17.- The inner corners of the element 11 maybe beveled or made inwardly convergent toconform :to the shape of the in- `17 of the head. Y

active end of the gripping element 11 is preferably curved to effectively engage the pipe P. Gripping parts or dies 31 may be provided at the outer end of the element 11 to engage the pipe P. l

In accordance with the preferred form of our'invention means is provided for resisting relative rotational movement between the element-11 andthe pipe P prior to and during the start of actuation of he means v13 to ensure effective initialengagement between the element and therpipe P as operation of the tool is started. A spring pressed pipe engaging. member 32'is arranged in a recess 33 in the active end of the element 11. The member32 has aV rearwardlyprojecting stem 34 slidableiin an opening inthe element 11 and vprojectinginto an enlargedwopening 35 in the element. A spring36'is arranged under compression inthe opening 35 to act against an enlargement 37 on the stem 34 to normally yieldingly urge the member 32 into a..p0si-` projects beyond the active face of the element 11 to engage ythe pipe Pand its outerside is preferably provided with gripping vparts in thevform of teeth to grip the pipe.

The handle 1 2 carries the means 13 for voperating the element 11 and isy provided tofacilitate the handling ofthe toolwr` The handle 12 projects Voutwardly or rearwardly from the body 15 of the head and ispreferably made comparatively long. The handle' 12 mayjbe formed integralwith the bodyjpl. An opening 38 extends into the handle from its outer end'to 'provide it with-spaced. side parts 39. The opening 38 isprovided to carry the means 13 foroperating the gripping element 11.

vThe means 13 for 'operating the gripping element 11 'is directly operable by the operating line40 to actuate the gripping element 11 into engagementwith the pipe P andv to pivotally connected links carried i inl the handle, an outer link 41. pivoted to the handle 12,'and an inner link 42 operatively connected with the element 11. ,The outer end of link 41 is pivotally connected to thehandle 12 by a pivot pin 43v extending between the parts 39 andthrough an opening in the outer end of the link.Y A suitabley bushing 44 may beV providedon the pin 43. The` inner end of the link 41 is pivotally connectedwith the link Y42 by means of a pivot pin 45. In the caseV illustrated theouter link .41 is provided Vwith a reduced portion. vwhich entends Vinto 'ani opening 47 in the inner link 42. VThe in- 524 may lock the end of the rod 48 in the socket i tracted position afteractuation.

51. 'Ehe links-41 and 42 andthe element 11 are related so; thativhen the element 11 is in an una-etuated or retracted posi-tion the links arel Yin Va position Where they. project outwardly' or buckle outwardly at their point of pivotal connection.` Vhen the links 41 and 42 are operated toward a position Where they are in alignment with ther rod 48, the gripping' el'enient.` 11 is operated or forced into rippingiengagement with: the Vpipe l).`

' Inl accordance with the Vpresent'invention alever arm 54 is provided'in connection With one of lili-elinks. for operating the links to actuate the element 11. f

"In the Jform of the'invention illustrated in Figs; 1 to 3 the lever arm 54 is provided on the inner link 42. The leve-r arm 54 is provided as'a means for applying an operating force to the links. The lever arm 54 may be formed integra-l' With the inner link, 42 so that it projects or extends from the outer end ofthe link 42 to form a continuation lofthe link. The lever yarm v54 may be made Vas long as desired, it being preferred tvo ex-` tend it to a point beyond the outer end of the handle 12. The outer Vend of the lever arm '54 is' provided With means for connection with: an operating member such as the actu-- atingfli'ne40. We have shown an opening V55 'intlieouter end of the lever arm 54 to carry lthe.operating line 40. rIheopening 55 may also accommodate a return line 56. The

lever arm 54 provides nieansfor limiting the extent of inward movement of the links41 and 42 as the outer Wallofthe opening 47, Vwhich is: in' the unit formed by the'link 42 and the lever arm 54, is adapted to engage they outer link 41-to limit the inward movemento the levers. Y

The means 14 is provided Vfor automatically returning the element 11 to its normal re- Th-e means 14 mayA be in the nature of spring means and may include a compression springl 57 arranged in an? elongated transverse slot or opening 58 in the -rod 48. The spring 57 is arranged; between' the outer'end of the open ingA 58 and a baror pin 60v arrangedV to ext-end transversely through the openingk 58. The pin 60 may extend through the body part 15 of they head aud extends through the inner end.v ot the. opening 58; lThe spring 57 is arranged betvveen thevouter end of the opening 58land the pin 60' so that itis compressed upon actuation of the gripping element 11 and expands upon the gripping element 11 beingrreleased to return the element toits normal retractedposition.

An eye bolt 62m'ay be provided on the head.

10 for suspending or carrying'theA tool. The

"bolt 62 may project upwardly from what We will term the upper iside of the tool. i Y

ln'lig. '5 of the drawings We have shown the means` Jfor operatingthe gripping element 11 as including an outer link 41%L pivoted to the handle`12' and pivotally connectedlvvith v 41?'. ln this form of the .invention the lever arm 54a maybe formedintegral Withrtlie outer link-41a and may constitute an out# 'Wardly projecting continuation .of the link.. )Thelever armv 54a projects from the outenend v of thehan'dle'12 and isg'provided at its outer?4 end With means for connection vvith an` oper ating line 40, 'or the like. We have shovvn the lever arm 54a provided With an opening 66 for passing thel-ine 4O= returnline 67 may alsopass through the openinfg. The

links 412L and 42al arey relatedtov the gripping element 11 so' that they are in fthe buckled Vor out position' when the element 11 isretracted and are .actuatedinivardly' erf' towardan aligne-d position when the arm-54a isloperated. fflf They various f other parts ofthe tongs ill-usf ftrated in Fig. 5 ofthe' drawings may be *similar to the-'parts ot' thez'toolr described above.

v it is beiavedthati eh@ utility @ma pmu- @abilityI of the 'construction providedbyour present invention Willbe .readily7 apparent Y:trointhe foregoing detailed description.-` It is to benoted that the invention" provides ,Y

tongs which are particularly vsimple and sturdy in construction and which'are-adapted Y to dependa-bly and efiectinfelyrhandle pipe f and like objects. Upon kactuation ot'thellin'e 40 the means 18 operates to torce the gripping f element or jaw 11` into" .secureengagementtf with the pipe and maintainsthe' jaw in' tifght gripping engagement `with 4the pipe during the turning/fof the tongs. rIhev links 41 andv 42 andthe other parts ot the'operatin'g means M 13 may be madesuiliciently heavy to elfec-V "i tively withstand hardusage.- It' will be obvious from the foregoing description that parts of this tool such as the head 10,the

gripping element'll, and'theihfandle 125v may be varied Widely`v in' form and construe K departingv fromythe present A tion Without invention. I

The parts ofthe-tool maybe proportioned and' related so that the grippingielement 11 has a substantial range' of movementso` that the tool is adapted to handle objects varying considerably in size. The lever arm 54 may be extended` or proportioned to provide the necessary leverage on the toggle mechanism forvoperating the element ll into gripping engagement with various sizes of objects with the necessary force. For instance, a single tool maybe made to effectively operate on pipe and also couplingsor tool joints, or the' like on the pi e. When the toggle links are well out o alignment with the Vrod or steIn,-the stem is moved a substantial 'amount y when the links are operated. However, as

the amount-of travel of the rod or stem lis increased, the. leverage or `power of the toCO'lej mechanism is decreased.

ing, apipe encircling head, a gripping 'elea member slidablein theY handle Yand connectmember.

ment slidably carried in the head, a handle projecting from the head, and means for operating the gripping element including, two pivotally connected links, one link pivoted at the outer end-of the handle, the other link connected with the element, and an operat-l ing lever arm on one link projecting from the outer end of the handle for connection with tong operating member. Y.

2. Tongs of the character described including, a pipe encircling head'a gripping element slidably carried in the head, a handle; rigidly connected with the head, and means for operatingv the gripping element including,

ed to the gripping element, two pivotally vconnected links, one link being pivotally mounted in the handle adjacent its outer end, the

other link beingpivotedto said member, and,

'a lever arm on one link projecting from the handle for actuation by a tong operating 3. A tool Vof the character described including, a pipe encircling head, a gripping element slidably carried in the head, a handle joined with the head, .and means for operating the gripping element including, a rod slidable in an opening in the handle and connected to the gripping element, two pivotally connected links at the outer portion of the handle, one link being ypivotally supported Y by the handle, the other link being connected tothe rod, and a lever arm on one link.

4. Tongs of the character described including, a pipe encirclingheadfa gripping element slidably carried in the head, ahandle rigidly joined with'the head, and means for operating the grippingelement including, a rod slidable in an opening in the handle and connected to the gripping element, two pivotally connected links Within the handle, one

link being pivotallymounted in the handle adjacent 'itsA outer end, the other link being connected to the rod, and a lever arm on vone link projecting from the handle for connection With a tong operating line. Y

5. Tongs of the character described including a pipe encircling head, a gripping element slidably carried in the head, a rigid handle projectingfrom the head, and means for operating the gripping element'includ.- ing two pivotally connected links in an opening inthe handle, one link being pivotally supported adjacent the outer end of the handle, the other link being connected with the gripping element, and an operating lever .arm ion one link and projecting beyond the end of the handle for engagement by a tong operating line. x

6. Tongs of the character described including, a pipe encircling head, a rigid handlefor the head, a gripping element slidably carried vwithin the head, means for operating the gripping element including, a rod slidable in the hand-le and connected with the gripping element, two pivotally connected links in the handle, one link pivotally supported in the outer end of the handle, the other link being connected to the rod, and an-operating lever arm on one link projecting beyond the handle for operation byf a tong operating line, and spring means for returning the 'gripping element after operation.

7. A tool'of the character described includg, a pipe encircling head, a rigid handle for the head, a gripping element slidably car.- ried in the head, means `for operating the gripping element including, a rod slidable in the handle and connected with the gripping element, two pivotally connected links 1n the handle, one link pivotally supported in the outer end of the handle, the other. link being connected to the rod, and an operating-lever arm on one link,;and means for returning the element after operation includinga spring in an opening in the rod, and a part on the handleengaging the spring.

8. Tongs of the character described including, a pipe encircling head, a rigid handle for the g-head,`a gripping elementslidably carried in the head, means for operating the grip- Vpingelement including, a rod slidable in the handle and connected with the gripping element, two pivotally connected links in the handle, one link pivotally supported in the outer end of the handle, the other link connected to the rod, and an operating lever arm on one link, projecting beyond the end of the handle and having means for connection with a tong operating member.

9. Tongs of the character described including, pipe encircling means including, a body having an opening, and a gate pivoted to the body adapted toclose aside of the opening,

a rigid handle projecting from the body; aV

gripping element slidable in the opening, and means for operating the element including, a rod slidable in the handle and connected to the element7 two pivotally connected links, one link being pivotally supported by the handle adjacent its outer end, theother link being pivota-lly connected to the rod, a lever arm on one link projecting from `the Youter end of the handle, and means on the lever arm for connection With an operating member 'y for turning the tongs.

In Witness that We claim the foregoing We have hereunto subscribed our names this 14th day of March, 1930.

LAWRENCE F. BAASH.

WILLIAM H. MAXWELL. 

